See...
a third set of DNA has been found.
Just because this DNA does not match with that of Mani
doesn't guarantee he is innocent.
I don't believe so either, ma'am.
If Mani is truly innocent, the evidence might be in that DNA.
But the case is closed, and he has been sentenced.
We can't identify whose DNA that is without reopening the case.
Even so, for every minute he spends in prison,
how can we remain indifferent knowing we might have jailed an innocent man?
So...
you're wondering how to reopen this?
Yes, ma'am.
It's not an easy task to reopen it, Raaza.
Even if I want to, I can't.
I know, ma'am. The IG won't consent to it.
You'll be facing needless inquiries.
So I'll do this at my own risk.
Your permission is all that's needed.
Raaza!
Don't assume you're the only cop with integrity!
If that boy is innocent, I would feel guilty too.
I was the one who released the DNA report before it was complete.
Despite you telling me to wait!
So, my guilt is greater than yours.
I'm ready to face any fallout that comes from reopening this case.
Sorry, ma'am.
If we're to oppose the IG and reopen this, there's only one way.
Come with me.
RUMOR: THE MYSTERY OF MANI
A well-attired belle
A bejeweled maiden
A luminous, radiant damsel
A vivacious, glittering charmer
A music-playing fairy
A pristine enchantress
Do you not sense the truth in her words?
You haven't met my husband, right?
We need his support to reopen Mani's case.
But you need to brief him about the case
and convey the possibility of Mani's innocence.
He's an advocate.
The best and straightforward advocate I know.
But I wouldn't call him the best husband.
So, please wait for two minutes.
Let me check if the advocate can meet with us.
Yes, ma'am.
Raaza?
Come on up.
Solving the highway case made you a media sensation.
You're the SP.
It's hard to believe that you have come to me for help.
This is a serious matter, Sukumaran. I even brought the SI.
Let's not discuss our personal issues before a third party.
Do you know Malayalam?
Yes. I can read and speak it.
Are you a Malayali?
No, sir. I'm fond of the language, so I learned it.
Have a seat.
What's the case about?
I'll let Raaza explain it to you.
I've requested an urgent meeting with the IG about this.
So he'll explain everything. Okay, Raaza?
- Yes, ma'am. - Okay.
Have a seat.
We'll talk after having tea.
There have been fifteen murder cases in the district of Madurai this year.
Comparatively, it's less, I know.
All SPs, send out pamphlets.
Issue them so that the general public is made aware
of the tactics and methods of these thieves and murderers.
Also...
a complaint was raised about the declining conviction rate.
Why? Why has the conviction rate declined?
Come in, Rathika.
There's a movie called Vyjayanthi IPS, if I remember correctly.
I'm sure they'll make one such movie about you!
That'll kick off your acting career! Right?
Why would they make movies with me?
You think so?
You wanted to have a word before the meeting began.
Yes, sir. We identified a skeleton in the highway case, didn't we?
And?
A guy called Mani became the prime suspect and was convicted.
But the forensic team has identified an unknown DNA at the scene.
They say there is a chance that the boy was wrongly convicted.
So what do we do?
Reverse the conviction and reopen the case?
Don't try my temper!
You were at the meeting too!
We're already facing flak over the conviction rate!
And you want to reopen a case that has received a conviction.
The thing is,
it appears the IO did not investigate this case properly.
Please leave!
This meeting is over! Get going!
I was just speaking highly of you.
Don't make me change my mind.
Go!
The media is projecting that boy as a Casanova.
Noticed that?
Yes, sir. I'm aware.
Don't know if they're right.
But if we reopen this case, you both will have to face a lot of issues.
Aware of that?
Forget the issues.
The department won't even give permission to reopen the case. That's why I'm here.
You'll also get a bad name in the department.
And Rathika will have it much worse than you.
See, I don't know if she knows the size of the issue.
So first, I have to explain it to her.
No, sir.
Despite knowing this would lead to trouble,
she brought me over here to meet you.
Okay.
Since you're both ready to risk it,
the next problem is convincing me of Mani's innocence.
Even if you and Rathika say so, I can't take it at face value.
Do you understand me, Raaza?
Yes, sir.
The IG didn't agree, Raaza.
He harshly dismissed me.
You anticipated this, didn't you?
What did Sukumaran say?
He thinks we're taking a pointless risk.
More importantly, he needs to be convinced of Mani's innocence.
He said he can't take our word at face value?
Yes, ma'am.
So both sides are not so positive, correct?
Here's the thing, ma'am.
If we can arrange for Mr. Sukumaran to meet with Mani,
I think he might be convinced.
Yes. I think that might work out too.
But you looked at me with surprise when I brought up the face value bit, yes?
Well, I--
Weren't you thinking I have a perfect judgment of who he is?
No, ma'am--
You can speak freely. I won't take it the wrong way.
I honestly didn't think that, ma'am.
Then what did you think?
You both understand and respect each other.
When that is so, what could be the problem between you two, I was wondering.
Sorry, ma'am. This is just my observation.
Not at all!
You've observed it very accurately.
Ours was a love marriage.
Actually, we both wanted to join the Indian Police Service.
We would keep talking about that.
I cleared those exams. He couldn't.
I think that hurt his ego somewhere deep down.
He'd never admit it.
But...
I can sense it.
That's the rift between us.
Anyway...
arrange for Sukumaran to meet with Mani.
I'm wondering how I can take this back to the IG.
I have an idea, ma'am.
What is it?
It was the media's influence that led to Mani's conviction, right?
- So-- - So you suggest to leak the DNA report?
No, ma'am. What if we made them report Mani was falsely suspected?
But our names can't be anywhere near this.
I don't say this just for us.
It might lead to Mani's case staying shut forever.
It won't, ma'am.
Yes, Moosa?
What a surprise!
Mr. Perambu Prabakar!
Didn't think I'd see you here today!
Data Collection Services, eh?
- Actually, this place is like my HQ. - Right.
It's in the sea that the net must be cast!
Once upon a time, journalists stayed out of public view.
They were like federal agents.
But now, you're as famous as movie stars!
- Can I take a selfie with you too? - Sure!
- Okay! - Okay!
Nice. Mr. Prabakar?
I always have one question while watching your videos.
Which is?
Where do you get the inside scoop for every story you report?
Who is your source?
My stories aren't groundbreaking.
I just share what everyone shares.
How can you say such a thing?
Your videos are interesting to watch and exciting to hear!
Not just that, you come up with new and interesting facts!
Thank you.
Care for some tea?
Sure!
There doesn't seem to be any new videos on Mani. What happened there?
Is that a movie to be re-released?
That's like a movie that has had its run!
People aren't keen about that anymore.
What are you saying?
All it takes to spark the fire is to raise some questions in their heads!
Just admit you didn't properly follow the case!
Instead of making excuses!
I thought you were aware of all this stuff!
After that boy attempted suicide, there was no buzz in that case!
What's there for me to follow up?
What isn't?
They apparently found evidence that suggests he's innocent!
It can be proved only if the case is reopened!
Is this the truth?
You insult me!
I'm actively involved in the case!
Why would I lie to you?
How much for two teas--
- Put that away. - No.
Put it away! Don't take that cash!
Put it away. I'll cover the bill.
This is the problem with you!
- See you. - Of course.
He didn't say anything when you last met him, right?
No, sir. But even if he remains quiet this time,
I think you'll be able to form an opinion.
Even so, it's useful to us only if he talks.
Anyway, let's see.
Mani, son of Murugesan!
There may be a reason for your silence.
But I believe you didn't commit these murders.
Only if you speak up can we find out who killed Nilavathi and Venba.
If you stay quiet, you'd be responsible for the killer to be roaming free.
Do you understand me?
Now tell me. You didn't kill those girls, did you?
Then who do you think did it?
I don't know.
Then why won't you talk?
Why didn't you plead innocence when they sentenced you?
What would have happened if I did, brother?
I've seen death up close many times.
It never scared me.
Never even thought about dying.
But the moment I learned Nila and my sister were no more...
I died too.
I shouldn't have let them go alone that day.
That's what led to this.
I deserve to be sentenced for that.
Mani...
even if you don't care about yourself, think of your mother.
Without you, what will become of her?
What do I do, brother?
Mani...
in order to get you out, we need to find the real killer.
We can do that only if we reopen your case.
To reopen the case...
you must tell us what happened, whom you suspect,
and why you think they might have killed the two.
We need to know all that.
Open up to us, Mani.
Bullfighting was the only thing I cared about, brother.
Any time such an event happened in town, I was invited as the chief guest.
My mother and sister would always panic anytime I had to deal with those bulls.
A gift my mother and my sister possess is...
anytime I prayed, they'd instantly know...
Be safe. Win!
that I was going for bullfighting.
See you, Mom!
Bye, dummy!
THE GREAT BULL-CHASING FESTIVAL
Brother Mani!
Will you be able to snare that Kattikulam bull today?
Wherever I went to snare a bull,
my boys Praba and Sundaresan always joined me.
I went everywhere with them.
Sundaresan was a quiet and innocent one.
The day Praba and I got into a tussle, that's when this ride to hell began.
To strike back at me,
Praba let it slip to Nilavathi's cousin sister
that I was in love with Nilavathi.
That girl got into a fight with Nilavathi.
And she spilled the beans about this to Nilavathi's brother Neelagandan.
And that guy called my friend Benjamin.
I happened to be with Benjamin at the time.
Why is your girl's brother randomly calling me?
- Brother-in-law's calling! Pick it up! - Give me the matchbox!
What is it, buddy?
Hello? Go ahead!
Benjamin, you know Mani, don't you?
Yes, I do.
Where will he be now?
Tell him I'm going to marry his sister!
Quiet, Mani! He's asking about you!
Guava fruits, brother!
Why ask about him all of a sudden?
Apparently, he's in love with my sister.
I want to skin him alive!
Some random schmuck thinks he can woo my sister?
That's why I asked.
Who's he calling a schmuck?
Neelaganda!
He'll always have ten people with him!
Sending death threats their way won't scare them!
Dear?
Get back inside.
You stay safe!
I know all that crap!
Tell him not to pursue my sister! Got it?
He just hung up abruptly!
And why are you needlessly hyping me up?
Why not? He threatens to end you! Shouldn't I show him who you are?
Come what may, he's my girl's big brother.
My brother-in-law!
- He's-- - Oh, stop it!
He'll come mess with me someday. I'll show him then!
You wretch!
Mom! Mom! Mom!
- You bloody shrew! - Hold him off!
- Who are you roaming with? - Neelaganda!
- Why did you do that? - Neelaganda!
- What? - Why are you hitting a girl?
Your daughter's fooling around with some guy! Ask her!
What did you say?
Hey! Who are you fooling around with?
- Who the hell are you in love with? - Stop it, Mom!
Am I not hitting her?
Why are you hitting her too?
Listen! This crap ends right here and now!
Stop fooling around with him right now!
Got it?
I won't care if you are my sister! I'll rip your heart out!
What?
Why are you all crying? Did somebody die?
Why hasn't she eaten yet?
I asked you a question!
Ask him yourself.
What is it, son?
Did you yell at her?
Know what your daughter did?
She fell for some random shithead!
Are you drunk?
Yes, I'm drunk!
My friends tell me they see her fooling around with him everywhere!
I feel so bloody ashamed!
His name is Mani!
This wench is fooling around with him!
Shut up!
Sit and watch! The two of them will run off together!
Everyone will laugh at us!
Should that happen, I'll hack both of them to shreds!
Talk some sense to her!
It must've been around 3:00 a.m., brother.
Knowing everyone at home was asleep, she called me.
Mani! They hit me, Mani! It hurts a lot.
Come soon, Mani! I don't know what to do!
When she said they hit her, my heart just stopped for a second!
I felt so angry at the thought that they would go so far as to hit my girl!
I decided right then and there that I have no life without her.
So I brought her home on the same night.
I smeared holy ash of our family deity on her,
and told my mother and my sister that she's the girl I'll marry.
And she'd stay here from now.
The next day, her brother and father showed up.
- Send my sister back! - Shut up!
I'm here, aren't I?
- Get out here! - Get our girl back here!
- Back off! - Get her out here!
- You come to my house and yell at me! - Calm down!
- Neelagandan! - She won't come!
Who the hell are you to demand this?
I'm her goddamn brother! Who the hell are you?
Think you're all that?
Stop mouthing off!
Everyone, quiet! I'm in charge here! Nobody talk!
- Stay quiet! - Sir!
Your daughter and I are in love.
It's nothing new in this town, yes?
I like her, and she likes me.
Ask her point-blank if she has no feelings for me.
If she does, I'll slit my throat right now!
Instead, whether you want to hack and chop
or you want a peaceful approach, I'm game!
Any hand can make a knife slash!
- Get back inside, Mom! - Quiet!
- Why are you talking like he's an equal? - Quiet! How can everyone talk at once?
But you keep mouthing off! Where's my respect?
Back off!
Come in, young man.
Listen, young man.
Unlike my men, I'm not here to pick a fight.
If my daughter ran off and got married, it would end up as a caste issue.
That's not good for you or for my daughter.
Send her back home.
I'll arrange this wedding in the way it ought to be done.
Trust me. And send her back home.
Do you not believe me?
Ask my daughter.
She'll tell you.
My brother's done a lot for me.
Still, he'll never let go of his honor.
But my father's word can be trusted.
The girl's father has given his word, Mani.
He has no need to come down to this level.
Let's send the girl back.
Even if I do, I won't send her alone.
To check if her father was lying or not,
I said I'll send my sister along with her, brother.
That too, only after two days.
"Go ahead," he said. Believing that, I sent them.
I shouldn't have consented to that.
Why? Do you think they're responsible for this?
I don't know, brother.
But this happened because the girls went out of my protection.
You should've dropped them off, right?
Why didn't you accompany them?
That's the one thing I still don't understand, brother.
I said I'd join them, but I don't know why they left before I got back!
Where did you go?
I was talking with the guys near the canal.
With Sundaresan and Teepu.
I didn't sense any confusion or hesitation in Mani's voice when he talked.
I didn't sense it either, sir.
One can have such clarity only when they speak from the heart.
Even so...
I want to study a little more about the case, Raaza.
I don't want to commit hastily.
I get it, sir.
The dual homicide that rocked Madurai!
The tried and convicted Mani.
"Is he the murderer or the scapegoat?"
Who is Mani?
As of late, news about him
and pleas for granting him justice have gone viral.
You wanted a detailed video on this--
Seventeen high-ranking cops transferred!
People have filed many complaints against the cops.
It is believed these transfers are because of the new online complaint portal
established last month by the Minister of Law and Order.
When the minister was addressing the press about these transfers,
he stated that the actions of the cops would be closely monitored.
The case of Mani, which caused a lot of stir,
has been recommended to be reopened--
I'm not raising a protest flag against reopening this case.
But going with nothing but DNA evidence and favoritism
as the sole grounds for reexamination doesn't seem right to me.
Proceed with the reexamination.
The Minister has specifically requested
the SP who solved the highway case to solve this too.
Let's see what you can uncover.
Thank you, sir.
Rathika!
I've ordered an investigation as to how this news got leaked to the media.
The IG's order for the re-investigation.
All systems go, I suppose.
Mr. Sukumaran also agreed to appeal to the Madurai High Court for a re-trial.
Can I tell you something?
You strongly believe that boy is innocent, right?
Yes, ma'am.
Trusting your word is what made me go against the IG and take this risk.
Never mind that. You've readied a prospective list
to cross-check against the third DNA in Mani's case, yes?
Yes, ma'am. Ramar.
Open wide!
Open wide.
Do it!
Both their samples have been collected.
Anything you want to say to Neelagandan?
No. Let the test result come first. We'll handle it later.
Shall I send them away?
Send Neelagandan away. Let Praba stay here.
Yes, sir.
That house by the neem tree, sir?
That's Sundaresan's house.
- Fine, come along. - Sir.
Please go ahead, sir. I'll stay here.
Why? You don't have any tiff with Sundaresan, do you?
No, sir. But because we used to smoke and drink together,
his mother forbade him from hanging out with us.
She'd go mad yelling whenever she saw us.
The very sight of her scares me.
Please go on, sir. I'll stay here.
Fine, sit inside.
When he's so scared of this chap's mother, do you think he killed those girls?
You never know who's hiding what!
- Sundaresan's mother? - Yes, sir.
- Is he inside? - No, sir. He's in Chennai.
Chennai?
Yes, sir. He's been working there for a year.
Tell him to come to Madurai tomorrow.
Or give us his number, and we'll talk to him.
I can give you his number, but he works in a quarry.
No signal there. You can reach him only if he calls.
- He calls you every day? - Yes, sir.
Have him come over right away.
Tell him to meet us at the station.
I'll do that. What's this about?
It's nothing.
Have him come by the station tomorrow.
Yes, sir.
- Give me your number. - Here you go, sis.
Come here, kiddo!
- Here, brother. - Given tea to the SI?
Yes, I have.
Come here, Dilip.
What grade would you have been in by now?
I would have finished eleventh and gone to twelfth.
Haven't studied, huh?
What can I do, brother? My family stopped my education.
They forced me to work.
Will you serve tea for the rest of your life?
Shall I suggest something?
- Mohan! - Yes, sir!
Come by when Sir isn't around.
- I'll give you some pointers. Okay? - Okay.
Sir?
Did Sundaresan's mother answer the phone?
No, sir. It keeps ringing all the way! I tried six times!
Shall I go check at the house?
No. I'll do it myself.
- Submit this to the court. - Okay.
Nobody in this house?
She left last night, sir.
Left? Where did she go?
I don't know, sir.
She asked me to hail an auto to Mattuthavani. I did.
Yes, ma'am.
I met with her to acquire a DNA sample from her son.
But it's suspicious she left without any warning.
She departed from the Mattuthavani bus stop.
I'm checking the CCTV footage at the bus stand.
Send me her number. I'll make arrangements to track it.
If you need to go out of town to find her, assign a few cops to handle it.
Yes, ma'am. I'll let you know once I have an update--
There! She's the one!
Hold on. Let me get another camera angle.
I brought the boy over, Moosa.
Hold on, Ramar.
Can I get a camera angle to match the timecodes with that angle?
Yes, sir. I'll pull it up.
Can't see where she went in that window.
There!
Sir. Yes, sir!
She left in a bus headed for Chennai.
The SP said she'll track her number.
I'll keep you apprised as more information comes in.
Both of you go to Chennai now!
Yes, Moosa. Come along!
You need to keep your eyes open, man!
The moment you see your mother or your friend, tell us right away!
Got it?
Okay, sir.
For a second, I thought the boy ran off, sir!
- Yes, Moosa? - Ramar!
The lady's phone has been tracked to a cell tower near Tambaram.
I'm following that. Call me when you get there.
Yes, Moosa. We'll be there in about two hours.
WELCOME TO CHENNAI
You always seem to be quiet. You don't talk at all.
Is this always how you are? Or are you pretending?
Nothing like that, sir.
- Moosa? - Ramar!
I'm still following it.
After Poonamallee, her phone was tracked to a cell tower near Basin Bridge.
Not sure which tower she's near now.
Just a minute, Ramar.
It resurfaced near Kilambakkam, Ramar.
- Head over there right now. - Okay, Moosa.
- Head to Kilambakkam, Moorthy! - Sir?
Step on it!
Pull over, Moorthy!
Hurry up, Mohan!
- Check that side! - Yes, sir!
Let's go that side!
We haven't found her yet, Moosa. We're still looking.
Her phone's still off, Ramar. We can't track it.
Keep searching the place. I'll call when the phone turns back on.
Check if it turns on. Till then, we'll scour the bus stop.
She's nowhere here, sir!
Praba and Mani claimed this guy is so quiet and innocent!
But I never anticipated he'd send us on such a wild goose chase!
Who could've anticipated this?
Sir, sir, sir!
- That bus to Nagercoil! - Where?
Stay on the line, Moosa!
Sundaresan!
Thought you'd give us the slip, huh?
We got them, Moosa.
Tell them to stop the bus, Mohan!
Stop the bus, brother!
What, Mr. Constable?
Mother and son tried to escape?
Just wait! I'll finish you off!
- Order a cup of tea, Muthuvel! - Yes, sir.
Please don't question my son, sir.
He's innocent!
Ask me anything you want.
Leave him out of it.
I beg of you, sir!
I'll tell you anything you want to know! Ask me anything!
Hey!
Enough! Then why'd you try to run off without saying a word?
What do you have to do with those two murders?
I have nothing to do with that!
If that's true, why the hell did you make a run for it?
For my son, sir.
To save him.
Why do you need to save him?
He was really fond of Mani's sister Venba.
He lost his bearings ever since that girl went missing.
It affected his mind, and he went crazy!
After getting him treated in Chennai, we slowly helped him get over that girl.
For the past few months, his condition had improved.
Fearing he'd regress to his old state if that girl was brought up again,
I tried to make a run for it with him!
I only have one son, sir!
Don't hurt my son, sir!
Why are you falling at my feet?
Will everything become fine now? Sit down!
What the hell, Moosa?
Ramar.
Have his sample sent for DNA testing.
His too?
Didn't his mother say he went crazy ever since that girl died?
I feel she's telling the truth.
I feel she's being truthful too, Ramar.
But compared to murders born out of grudges,
murders over love are far more common.
Send his sample.